"Well known to be the
greatest philosopher of the present age; -- all the operations of nature
he seems to understand, --the very heavens obey him, and the Clouds
yield up their Lightning to be imprisoned in his rod."--William
Pierce, on Benjamin Franklin, 1787

"Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As
nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters."Ben Franklin - April 17, 1787

"The
worship of God is a duty...Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by
other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.
I never doubted the existence of the Deity, that he made the world, and
governed it by His Providence...The pleasures of this world are rather
from God's goodness than our own merit... Whoever shall introduce into
the public affairs the principles of primitive (essential) Christianity
will change the face of the world... Rebellion to tyrants is obedience
to God."- Benjamin Franklin

"That wise Men have in all Ages thought Government
necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments have
always thought Religion necessary for the well ordering and well-being
of Society, and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage and
protect the Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours,
that their Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among
the common People." --Benjamin Franklin, On that Odd Letter of the Drum,
1730

Benjamin Franklin signed Pennsylvania's 1776
Constitution, which stated in Frame of Government, Chapter 2, Section 10: "Each member of the legislature, before he takes his
seat, shall make and subscribe the following declaration: 'I do believe in one
God, the Creator and Governour of the
Universe, the Rewarder of the good and Punisher of the wicked, and I do
acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine
Inspiration.'"

See also:

o
Spiritual Journey of Benjamin Franklin (Christian
Heritage Fellowship) In January 2015, William Fortenberry published his
book, Franklin on Faith: The Definitive Guide to the Religion of the First
American in which he chronicled, what he believed was Benjamin Franklin’s return
to the Christian faith after a foray into deism. While many conservative
Franklin scholars suggest that this great American statesman failed to return to
the fullest biblical claims for Christianity, Mr. Fortenberry has compiled
compelling evidence to challenge this position.

o
"The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin" (PDF from
TheFederalistPapers.org)
Considered to be the greatest autobiography produced in Colonial
America, Franklin’s Autobiography portrays a fascinating picture of life in
Philadelphia, as well as Franklin’s shrewd observations on the literature,
philosophy and religion of America’s Colonial and Revolutionary periods and was
originally written for Franklin’s son William, then the Governor of New Jersey.

o
Benjamin Franklin: The Sage of America By Steven
Forde -
There was a time, not too long ago, when every schoolchild in America
learned about Benjamin Franklin and his exploits; a great many read his
brief Autobiography. Unfortunately, that time has passed. None of the American
Founders is the icon he once was, of course, but in the case of Franklin, this
is especially lamentable because Franklin addressed himself more to the common
man, and to the young, than did his colleagues. He directed his writing largely
to the formation of popular character and had a very salutary effect on that
character for as long as he was widely read.

"A nation of
well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights
which God has given them cannot be enslaved.
It is in the region of
ignorance that tyranny begins." Benjamin
Franklin

American Minute for April 17th- On APRIL 17, 1790, the son of
a poor candle-maker died. The 15th of 17 children, he apprenticed as
a printer and published a popular almanac. He retired at age 42, then
taught himself five languages, invented the rocking chair, bifocal
glasses and the lighting rod, which earned him degrees from Harvard and
Yale. He helped found the University of Pennsylvania, a hospital,
America's first postal system and fire department. He became the
governor of Pennsylvania, signed the Declaration of Independence and
called for prayer at the Constitutional Convention. He was president of
America's first anti-slavery society. His name was Ben Franklin. In his
Poor Richard's Almanac, May 1757, Ben Franklin wrote: "Work as if you
were to live 100 years; pray as if you were to die tomorrow." In a
pamphlet for Europeans titled Information to Those Who Would Remove to
America, 1754, Benjamin Franklin wrote: "Atheism is unknown there;
Infidelity rare and secret; so that persons may live to a great age in
that country without having their piety shocked by meeting with either
an Atheist or an Infidel. And the Divine Being seems...pleased to favor
the whole country."

Did Franklin foresee the Rise...and the Fall of the Constitution?
(American Minute with Bill Federer JUNE 28) - Ben Franklin gave another address
at the Constitutional Convention, 1787, titled Dangers of a Salaried
Bureaucracy: "Sir, there are two passions which have a powerful influence in the
affairs of men...ambition and avarice-the love of power and the love of money...
...When united...they have...the most violent effects. Place before
the eyes of such men a post of honor, that shall, at the same time, be a place
of profit, and they will move heaven and earth to obtain it...What kind are the
men that will strive for this profitable preeminence, through all the bustle of
cabal, the heat of contention, the infinite mutual abuse of parties, tearing to
pieces the best of characters? It will not be the wise and moderate, the lovers
of peace and good order, the men fittest for the trust. It will be the bold and
the violent, the men of strong passions and indefatigable activity in their
selfish pursuits. These will thrust themselves into your government and be your
rulers..."
...The more the people are discontented with the oppression of
taxes, the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his
partisans, and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable
him to plunder at pleasure. There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not,
if he could, follow the example of Pharaoh-get first all the people's money,
then all their lands, and then make them and their children servants for ever.
It will be said that we do not propose to establish kings...But there is a
natural inclination in mankind to kingly government...
...They would rather have one tyrant than five hundred. It gives
more of the appearance of equality among citizens; and that they like. I am
apprehensive, therefore-perhaps too apprehensive-that the government of the
States may, in future times, end in a monarchy...and a king will the sooner be
set over us."

American Minute for July 26th (2004):On JULY 26, 1775, Benjamin Franklin
became the first U.S. Postmaster General, a position he held prior to
the Revolution under the British Crown. Franklin established a volunteer
fire department, a circulating public library, an insurance company, a
city police force, a night watch and a militia. He set up the lighting of
city streets and coined the electrical terms "positive" and "negative." On
June 28, 1787, as Governor of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin hosted the
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he moved: "That
henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on
our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning." Franklin
wrote April 17, 1787: "Only a virtuous people are capable of
freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of
masters." Benjamin Franklin wrote his epitaph: "THE BODY of
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN - Printer. Like the cover of an old book, Its contents
torn out, And stripped of its lettering and gilding, Lies here, food for
worms; Yet the work itself shall not be lost, For it will (as he believed)
appear once more, In a new, And more beautiful edition, Corrected and
amended By The AUTHOR."

Franklin's public career began when organized Pennsylvania's
first volunteer militia during threaten Spanish and French attacks, and proposed
a General Fast, which was approved by the Colony's Council and printed in the
Pennsylvania Gazette, December 12, 1747: "Forasmuch as it is the Duty of
mankind, on all suitable occasions to acknowledge their dependence on the Divine
Being, to give Thanks for the Mercies received, and no less to deprecate his
Judgments and humbly pray for his Protection; And as the calamities of a bloody
War, in which our Nation is now engaged, seem every Year more nearly to approach
us, and the Expedition form'd for the security of these Plantation hath been
laid aside, As the Inhabitants of this Province & City have been sorely visited
with mortal sickness in the Summer past, & there is just reason to fear that
unless we humble ourselves before the Lord & amend our Ways, we may be chastized
with yet heavier Judgments, We have, therefore, thought fit, on due
consideration thereof, to appoint Thursday, the 7th Day of January next, to be
observed throughout this Province as a Day of Fasting & Prayer, exhorting all,
both Ministers & People, to observe the same with becoming seriousness &
attention, & to join with one accord in the most humble & fervent Supplications;
That Almighty God would mercifully interpose and still the Rage of War among the
Nations & put a stop to the effusion of Christian Blood;...That he would take
this Province under his Protection, Confound the designs and defeat the Attempts
of its Enemies...It is recommended to all Persons to abstain from servile Labour
on the said Day."

Franklin published the sermons of Evangelist George
Whitefield, which helped spread The Great Awakening Revival. He established a
volunteer fire department, a circulating public library, an insurance company, a
city police force, a night watch and a hospital. He set up the lighting of city
streets and coined the electrical terms "positive" and "negative."

On September 28, 1776, as Governor of Pennsylvania, Benjamin
Franklin signed the State's first Constitution, which stated: "Nor can any man,
who acknowledges the being of a God, be justly deprived or abridged of any civil
right...And each member, before he takes his seat, shall make and subscribe the
following declaration, viz: 'I do believe in one God, the Creator and Governor
of the Universe, the Rewarder of the good and the Punisher of the wicked. And I
do acknowledge the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine
Inspiration.' And no further or other religious test shall ever hereafter be
required of any civil officer or magistrate in this State." At the end of the
Revolutionary War, Franklin signed the Treaty of Paris, September 3, 1783, which
began: "In the name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity..."

As Governor of Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin hosted the
Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where on June 28, 1787, he moved:
"That henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on
our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning."

Franklin wrote April 17, 1787: "Only a virtuous people are
capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need
of masters." Benjamin Franklin wrote his epitaph: "THE BODY of BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
- Printer. Like the cover of an old book, Its contents torn out, And stripped of
its lettering and gilding, Lies here, food for worms; Yet the work itself shall
not be lost, For it will (as he believed) appear once more, In a new, And more
beautiful edition, Corrected and amended By The AUTHOR."

Benjamin Franklin's Virtue Chart:
Did you know that in 1726, at the age of 20, while on an 80-day ocean voyage
from London back to Philadelphia, he developed a "Plan" for regulating his
future conduct? He was partially motivated by Philippians 4:8 "Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy--think about such things." He followed the plan he created "pretty
faithfully" even to the age of 79 (when he wrote about it), and he was even more
determined to stick with it for his remaining days because of the happiness he
had enjoyed so far by following it. See also: Ben Franklin and the Apostle Paul.

How America's Constitution
Convention Began: Constitutional Convention:
June 28, 1787, Thursday, was embroiled in a bitter debate over how each state
was to be represented in the new government. The hostile feelings created by the
smaller states being pitted against the larger states was so bitter that some
delegates actually left the Convention. Benjamin Franklin, being the President
(Governor) of Pennsylvania, hosted the rest of the 55 delegates attending the
Convention. Being the senior member of the convention, at 81 years of age, he
commanded the respect of all present, and, as recorded on James Madison's
detailed records, he arose to address the Congress in this moment of crisis.

Benjamin Franklin in a pamphlet
for Europeans titled "Information to Those Who Would Remove to America,"
1754. "Atheism is unknown there; Infidelity rare and secret; so that
persons may live to a great age in that country without having their piety
shocked by meeting with either an Atheist or an Infidel. And the Divine
Being seems...pleased to favor the whole country."

"I pronounce it as
certain that there was never yet a truly great man that was not at the same time
truly virtuous." Benjamin Franklin (The Busy-body, No. 3, 18 February
1728) Reference: The Works of Benjamin Franklin, Bigelow, ed., vol. 1 (350)

That wise Men have in all Ages thought
Government necessary for the Good of Mankind; and, that wise Governments
have always thought Religion necessary for the well ordering and
well-being of Society, and accordingly have been ever careful to encourage
and protect the Ministers of it, paying them the highest publick Honours,
that their Doctrines might thereby meet with the greater Respect among the
common People."

"We must hang together or assuredly we
shall hang separately."

"My dear friend, do not imagine that I am vain
enough to ascribe our success [Revolution] to any superiorityâ€¦If it had
not been for the justice of our cause, and the consequent interposition of
Providence, in which we had faith, we must have been ruined. If I had ever
before been an atheist, I should now have been convinced of the being and
government of a Deity!" - In a
letter to William Strahan, August 19, 1784

"I must own I have so much faith in the general
government of the world by Providence that I can hardly conceive a
transaction of such momentous importance to the welfare of millions now
existing, and to exist in the posterity of a great nation, should be
suffered to pass without being in some degree influenced, guided, and
governed by that omnipotent, omnipresent, and beneficent Ruler." -
On the impact of Independence on
generations of Americans during the Constitutional Convention

Must See Did You Know? - Learn
how America's Constitution Convention was embroiled in a bitter debate over how
each state was to be represented in the new government and what Benjamin
Franklin, at age 81, presented to resolve this impasse of the First Congress.

July 26 - First
Postmaster
General of the
United States -
"As nations
become corrupt
and vicious..."

On JULY
26, 1775,
Benjamin
Franklin became
the first
Postmaster
General of the
United States, a
position he held
under the
British Crown
before the
Revolution.

Franklin's
public career
began when he
organized
Pennsylvania's
first volunteer
militia during
threaten attacks
from Spanish and
French ships.

He then
proposed a
General Fast,
which was
approved by the
Colony's Council
and printed in
his Pennsylvania
Gazette,
December 12,
1747:

"As the
calamities of a
bloody
War...seem every
year more nearly
to approach
us...there is
just reason to
fear that unless
we humble
ourselves before
the Lord & amend
our Ways, we may
be chastized
with yet heavier
Judgments,

We have,
therefore,
thought fit...to
appoint...a Day
of Fasting &
Prayer,
exhorting all,
both Ministers &
People, to
observe the same
with becoming
seriousness &
attention, & to
join with one
accord in the
most humble &
fervent
Supplications;

That Almighty
God would
mercifully
interpose and
still the Rage
of War among the
Nations & put a
stop to the
effusion of
Christian
Blood."

Franklin
published
evangelist
George
Whitefield's
sermons, thereby
spreading The
Great Awakening
Revival.

He established a
volunteer fire
department, a
circulating
public library,
an insurance
company, a city
police force, a
night watch and
a hospital.

He set up the
lighting of city
streets and was
the first to
suggest Daylight
Savings Time. He
invented bifocal
glasses, the
Franklin Stove,
swim fins, the
lightning rod,
and coined the
electrical terms
"positive" and
"negative."

In 1754,
Franklin wrote a
pamphlet,
"Information to
Those Who Would
Remove to
America," for
Europeans

interested in
sending their
youth to this
land:

"Hence bad
examples to
youth are more
rare in America,
which must be a
comfortable
consideration to
parents. To this
may be truly
added, that
serious
religion, under
its various
denominations,
is not only
tolerated, but
respected and practised.

Atheism is
unknown there;
Infidelity rare
and secret; so
that persons may
live to a great
age in that
country without
having their
piety shocked by
meeting with
either an
Atheist or an
Infidel.

And the Divine
Being seems to
have manifested
his approbation
of the mutual
forbearance and
kindness with
which the
different sects

treat each
other; by the
remarkable
prosperity with
which he has
been pleased to
favor the whole
country."

On
September 28,
1776, as
Governor of
Pennsylvania,
Benjamin
Franklin signed
the State's
first
Constitution,
which stated:

"Nor can any
man, who
acknowledges the
being of a God,
be justly
deprived or
abridged of any
civil right...

And each member,
before he takes
his seat, shall
make and
subscribe the
following
declaration,
viz:
'I do believe in
one God, the
Creator and
Governor of the
Universe, the
Rewarder of the
good and the
Punisher of the
wicked. And I do
acknowledge the
Scriptures of
the Old and New
Testament to be
given by Divine
Inspiration.'

And no further
or other
religious test
shall ever
hereafter be
required of any
civil officer or
magistrate in
this State."

At the
end of the
Revolutionary
War, Franklin
signed the
Treaty of Paris,
September 3,
1783, which
began: "In the
name of the Most
Holy and
Undivided
Trinity..."

As
Pennsylvania's
President
(Governor), Ben
Franklin hosted
the
Constitutional
Convention in
Philadelphia,
where on June
28, 1787, he
moved:

"That henceforth
prayers
imploring the
assistance of
Heaven, and its
blessing on our
deliberations,
be held in this
Assembly every
morning."

Franklin
composed his
epitaph:"THE BODY of
BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN -
Printer.
Like the cover
of an old book,
Its contents
torn out,
And stripped of
its lettering
and gilding,
Lies here, food
for worms;
Yet the work
itself shall not
be lost,
For it will (as
he believed)
appear once
more,
In a new, and
more beautiful
edition,
Corrected and
amended By The
AUTHOR."

Franklin wrote
April 17, 1787:
"Only a virtuous
people are
capable of
freedom. As
nations become
corrupt and
vicious, they
have more need
of masters."